Up with People Blog

Globalization is here to stay and the key to a successful and fulfilling career (and life) is a diverse international network. But how does one begin to lay the foundation for such a network? One of the quickest and most effective ways is to spend a gap year or study abroad semester overseas. In fact international networking is often times one of the most valuable and measurable outcomes of time spent traveling. Years later you might not remember the content of the program's education curriculum but you will certainly remember and maintain contact with the people you connected with while abroad.

More and more young people around the world are choosing to take a gap year before entering university and for good reason. Top universities like Harvard now even encourage newly admitted students to "defer enrollment for one one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way ... Perhaps the best way of all to get the full benefit of a "time-off" is to postpone entrance to college for a year. For nearly 40 years, Harvard has recommended this option, indeed proposing it in a letter of admission. Normally a total of about 80 to 110 students defer college until the next year. The results have been uniformly positive."

Why would Harvard recommend a gap year? Because taking this time to learn more about yourself and your goals can better prepare you for university. Let's explore how and why.

Every day is full during an Up with People tour — full of travel, volunteer activities, and cultural experiences. It is an opportunity unlike any other. Twice per year, each fall and spring, young adults age 17-29 from a variety of backgrounds have the opportunity to travel the globe with our organization, bring positive change to the world and encourage others to do the same.

But what makes Up with People unique? Let's explore and breakdown how service, culture, and performance are just a glimpse of what makes Up with People different from other gap year programs.

Not everyone is ready to go to university right after high school...and that’s okay. In fact, taking a gap year before committing time and funds to higher education is becoming more and more common. While there are no exact numbers on how many young adults are opting for a gap year, the Gap Year Association says that interest and enrollment in gap year programs is growing substantially and they have seen gap year fair attendance increase by 294 percent since 2010. Just ask Malia Obama, daughter of Barack Obama, President Emeritus of the United States, who spent her gap year volunteering and visiting multiple continents before enrolling at Harvard.

That time in between schools is an ideal opportunity for your child to find their life’s passion, develop some real-world experiences, and plan for their future. Here are a few ideas for how your child can spend their gap year break before a post-secondary education.

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to go after one of the best educational opportunities around today – the Gap Year. Gap Years, especially between high school and university, have been increasing in popularity across the globe for a very good reason – they give you the chance to get a better sense of who you are and what you want to do before completing your formal education. As a matter of fact, many of the world’s top universities are promoting Gap Years as an important piece of a young adult’s educational experience, and some are even offering scholarships!

If you had a chance to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Mexico… Germany...the United States… Africa? Traveling anywhere is fun, but for many of us, the farther away the better. Unfamiliar locations mean exciting experiences, and a chance to push our boundaries.

Why do you think people love overseas gap year and study abroad programs? They have so many ways to help you experience new things: new countries, new cultures, new foods, new...well, just about everything. You will most likely have a few awkward moments and uncomfortable experiences along the way, because that’s a part of immersing yourself in a new culture. In fact, if you don’t experience a little bit of culture shock, you might be getting far enough out of your comfort zone.

“I was fresh out of college and floundering to find a job that I felt passionate about,” said Up with People alumni Dave Stockwell on his motivations for taking a gap year. “My world seemed small and I knew there was so much more to see and learn.”

Like Dave, there will be many times throughout your life where you need to make a decision today about what’s best for you tomorrow. It can be scary and at the same time, exhilarating! If we were all armed with a crystal ball, we’d nail it every time! Unfortunately, that’s not the case. So we’re challenged to determine our own answers to life’s many questions. Questions such as: Should I continue my education? Where should I start my career? Is this career path right for me? When do I want to get married or start a family?

Up with People is a global education organization which aims to bring the world together through service and music. The unique combination of international travel, service learning, leadership development and performing arts offers young adults an unparalleled study abroad experience and a pathway to make a difference in the world, one community at a time.Click here to learn moreabout the internationally acclaimed program, Up with People.